Firefighters will visit schools this week as they continue their bid to become champions of a textile competition for the third year in a row.

Staff at Egremont Fire Station are planning to visit Whitehaven schools to collect clothing and raise money for charity.

Last year, they collected a record-breaking 7.7 tonnes of textiles to support the Fire Fighters Charity.

This time the firefighters hope to hit 10 tonnes and have so far collected four tonnes. The competition runs until the end of January and the crew will stop off at schools in Egremont, Seascale, Gosforth and Cleator Moor.

Next week they will visit children at Whitehaven schools to pick up more textile collections.

Crew manager David McDowell said: "Last year we managed to collect 7.7 tonnes which raised £1700 for the Firefighters Charity and with your help we will attempt to break 10 tonnes this year."

The firefighters will visit St Bridget's School and Bookwell School, in Egremont, Montreal School and St Patrick's School, in Cleator Moor, and St Joseph's School, Frizington, and Frizington Community School.

They will also go to Beckermet School, Beckermet Nursery, Seascale School and Gosforth School.

Egremont's crew saw off the challenge from 603 fire stations across the UK in 2016, as £39,000 was raised for the charity.

It was the second year in a row the station had been victorious in the competition, after collecting 2.2 tonnes a year earlier.

They also raised money for the charity with a winter wonderland over the festive period. Crew members organised a fun day for children with a visit from Santa and an appearance from Welephant - the fire service mascot.

It raised over £1,000 and included fairground rides, a postbox for children to send their Christmas wishes and face painting.

The Fire Fighters Charity is the UK's leading provider of services that enhance quality of life for serving and retired firefighters, fire personnel and their families.It has a centre, called Jubilee House, at Eamont Bridge near Penrith.

Textiles can be dropped off at Egremont Fire Station until January 31.